Pesaro is a gorgeous coastal town situated on the eastern side of Italy in the Marche region.
Pesaro is a city and comune in the Italian region of Marche, capital of the Province of Pesaro e Urbino, on the Adriatic Sea. According to the 2011 census, its population was 95,011, making it the second most populous city in the Marche, after Ancona.
As a tourist destination, Pesaro benefits from its fantastic stretch of golden beaches and is a popular location for Italians to visit during the summer months. Furthermore, the Parco Naturale del Monte San Bartolo is one of the most important in the region and is explored by thousands each year. Aside from the beach and natural landscapes, Pesaro also has some gorgeous historical buildings such as the Palazzo Ducale, and a plethora of intriguing museums such as the Morbidelli Motorbike Museum.
Higlights
Pesaro was dubbed “Cycling City” (Città della Bicicletta) by Italian environmentalist association Legambiente in recognition of its extensive network of bicycle paths and promotion of cycling.
It is also known as “City of Music” as it is the birthplace of the composer Gioacchino Rossini. In 2015 the Italian Government applied for Pesaro to be declared a “Creative City” in UNESCO‘s World Heritage sites. In 2017 Pesaro received the European City of Sport award together with Aosta, Cagliari and Vicenza.
Local industries include fishing, furniture making and tourism.
Main sights
Civic Sites
- Ducal Palace (15th century): Commissioned by Alessandro Sforza, the façade has a portico with six arcades supported by six heavy pilasters and an upper floor with five windows crowned by coats of arms, festoons and puttoes.
- Rocca Costanza (15th century): Massive castle built by Costanzo I Sforza; it has a square plan with four cylindrical corner towers and a wide dry moat. Later used as prison.
- Villa Imperiale of Pesaro (c. 1530): Suburban palace with gardens designed by Girolamo Genga for Duke Francesco Maria Della Rovere and his duchess Eleanora and built from c. 1530 onwards, stands atop the San Bartolo hill. Its sunken court is the direct precedent for the more famous one at the Roman Villa Giulia. Rooms are frescoed by prominent Mannerist painters Bronzino, Francesco Menzocchi, Girolamo Genga, and Raffaellino del Colle.
- Mura Roveresche (17th century): “Della Rovere Walls”, demolished in the early 20th century), only two gates, Porta del Ponte and Porta Rimini, and a short section remain.
- Birthplace of Gioachino Rossini: Now a museum dedicated to the composer, located at 34 Via Rossini. It has a museum with manifestoes, prints, portraits and his spinet.
- Conservatorio Statale di Musica Gioachino Rossini: Located in the 18th century Palazzo Olivieri–Machirelli on the Piazza Oliveri
- Musei Civici di Palazzo Mosca: Civic museum contains mainly paintings and ceramics. Among the masterpieces is the Pesaro Altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini.
- Oliveriano Archeologic Museum and Oliveriana Library: Archaeological Collection and Manuscript Library; founded in 1756 by Annibale degli Abati Olivieri.
Culture
- The Pesaro film festival (Mostra Internazionale del Nuovo Cinema) has taken place in Pesaro since 1965.
- Rossini Opera Festival has taken place every summer since 1980 in Pesaro, home as well as the Conservatorio Statale di Musica “Gioachino Rossini” founded with a legacy from the composer.
- Pesaro hosts the home games of Victoria Libertas basketball team, better known across Europe as Scavolini Pesaro.
- Adriatic Arena: third biggest Italian indoor arena behind Mediolanum Forum in Milan and PalaLottomatica in Rome.
- Among the town industries is the motocross and enduro brand of TM Racing, a small manufacturer of race-ready motorbikes based in the coastal town since 1978.
